The Forrestals brought strike, fleet air defence, anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, and delivery aircraft together in one mobile system. Their value depended on the air group and the logistical and defensive network around the carrier. Two carriers operating near one another could provide mutual support while greatly increasing the air power an opponent had to defeat. Here, a supercarrier is defined by this scale of effort rather than size alone. An enemy that can challenge one concentration may still be unable to defeat two.
Chapter · 38:26-40:09
Multiple carriers concentrate air power and mutual support
Strike, air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and delivery aircraft worked within a network of support ships. Bringing two carrier groups together greatly increased the force an opponent had to defeat.